Tuesday, January 21, 2025 - Donald Trump, sworn in Monday, January 20, as the 47th President of the United States, made waves during his second inaugural address by declaring plans to "take back" the Panama Canal.
This unexpected pledge, accompanied by rhetoric targeting China's
influence in the region, immediately drew international attention and stirred
diplomatic concerns.
“Above all, China is operating the Panama Canal, and we didn’t give it
to China, we gave it to Panama. And we’re taking it back,” Trump said at the
Capitol ceremony.
The United States transferred control of the canal to Panama in 1999
under a treaty brokered by President Jimmy Carter in 1977. Trump argued that
the agreement has been violated, citing alleged unfair treatment of U.S. ships
and growing Chinese activity around the vital waterway connecting the Atlantic
and Pacific oceans.
“The purpose of our deal and the spirit of our treaty has been totally
violated,” Trump asserted. “American ships are being severely overcharged and
not treated fairly, and that includes the United States Navy.”
Panama has repeatedly denied any Chinese involvement in the canal’s
operations, maintaining its sovereignty over the waterway. However, Trump’s
remarks follow weeks of speculation over potential U.S. military action, fueled
by comments from Secretary of State nominee Marco Rubio, who voiced concerns
about China’s strategic influence in the area. “This is a legitimate issue that
needs to be confronted,” Rubio said during his confirmation hearing last week.
Despite his combative statements on Panama, Trump positioned himself as
a “peacemaker and unifier,” pointing to his administration’s role in
implementing a Gaza ceasefire deal. “My proudest legacy will be that of a
peacemaker and unifier,” he said, emphasizing his efforts to broker peace in
the Middle East and pledging to push for compromises to end the war in Ukraine.
Trump also unveiled plans to intensify border security, signalling a
continued hardline stance on immigration. In a symbolic move, he declared that
the United States would refer to the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America.”
“America will reclaim its rightful place as the greatest, most powerful,
most respected nation on Earth, inspiring the awe and admiration of the entire
world,” Trump concluded.
The bold assertions in Trump’s address have raised questions about U.S.
foreign policy under his administration, with analysts speculating on the
implications of his Panama Canal remarks. As Trump prepares to navigate his
second term, the world will be closely watching how these promises translate
into action.
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